ALFA ROMEO 4C SPIDER “50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION”

The Alfa Romeo 4C is no more, but it will be heading for classic status sooner than you think. With a few Limited Editions released during its short production run, the ’50th Anniversary’ seems an appropriate edition to cover. Despite some owners having a love-hate relationship with the 4C, its popularity will only increase over time.

A Red car now resides in Hong Kong. This one is No 18. ©rlneoauctions

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

This open-top-only edition came about as an anniversary to mark the 50 years since the first ‘Spyder’ was released by Alfa Romeo in 1966. The Limited Edition was launched in January 2016 for an impressive £67,800. Loaded with Carbon fibre and small detail tricks, this was a fairly quick sell-out for the 4C.

The glorious, lush interior of the 50th edition ©alfaromeopress

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The interior had a carbon fibre instrument panel, sports leather seats with detailed contrasting stitching and a matching leather dashboard. Nice touches. The interior colour was either Black or Red leather.

All the carbon extras are added for the 50th edition… ©westaway

Another feature of this edition was that it was only sold in the UK. It was only available in 3 colours: Competizione Red, Madreperla White (Pearl effect) and Giallo Prototipo (yellow)

Competizione Red ©imperialcars
Giallo Prototipo ©ownersrights
Madreperla White ©ownersrights

One of the first things to spot is the unique flag on the mirrors. This was for the 50th edition only. So the outside hosted the wing mirror badge, these are prone to falling off and not every car has them anymore… so don’t think it is a 50th without them…

But the main event is the interior badge, giving the editions a unique number. However, a few cars never had these fitted by the dealer. These were dealer-fit, not factory fit; they’re not linked to the VIN number in any way.

Here’s No 29 of 50. This is a Yellow car.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A lovely feature with any limited edition is having something a touch special; in this case, it was the bespoke Caracalla Limited Edition leather travel bag, which was designed to fit the car. The stitching of the bag matched the colour of your car. I believe these came as standard, however, and I’ll stick my neck out here… like a few of these editions which come with bags or general goodies, if you didn’t know they came with the car, you didn’t get it! Possibly, some dealers kept them… maybe…

The Beautiful bespoke luggage for the 50th edition 4C, from a yellow car. The small square ‘badge’ features the edition number of the car. ©alfaromeopress

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

With this edition being a UK-only car, I’m gathering the numbers to fit the colours… It’s thought 10 were made in Yellow, 15 in White and 25 in Red, but let’s see how the numbers add up first before taking one person’s information. One car is still unregistered, believed to be in dealer stock (or most likely with Alfa UK). The former Chris Variava Alfa Romeo dealer of Nottingham had sold at least 6 cars originally, but is probably more likely double that amount… This is now loosely the same company trading as Auto100.

The Rare Original UK Brochure

————————————————–

In 2016, 11 cars were sold, and the remaining 39 were registered in 2017. This is from total sales of around 550 UK 4C cars, and a worldwide total production of just over 9000 cars.

Now, the total number of cars is not all in the UK. There is a red one, possibly No 18, that’s in Hong Kong. There may be another red one in HK, possibly No.06. There are as many as 10 in Northern Ireland. And there were a white car and a red car in Cyprus, both of which were sold as used cars, from the UK.

One of the cars is living a high life in New Zealand. It’s No. 35 in Red and is the original Press Car. It has all the luggage and car covers. It was purchased from Meridien Milano in the UK in 2017 and shipped to NZ. However, I believe this is No.01. Also, on its original leather luggage, it shows the edition No.01

The real number 35 car now lives in Somerset, with an Alfa addict after being sold by a dealer in Derby.

This is the infamous “No 35”, which has lived in New Zealand for a few years. This is the former press car. And amazingly, it still has its original luggage! ©howmanymade/lindsayknowles
As you can see, it certainly does say “No. 35” on the ex-press car, which now lives in New Zealand.
The press car with its very rare original ‘numbered’ leather luggage ©howmanymade/lindsayknowles

Now, below is the real ‘UK No.35’, which I went to view when it came up for sale in Telford in 2022

This is the real No35 that came up for sale at Tjvickers, of Telford, in 2022. ©tjvickers
  • So far, I have 41 cars registered in all colours, and I need a little help. Let me know about your car so it can be added to confirm this great, limited edition future classic.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––

MORE TO COME ON THIS EDITION SOON… SIGN UP FOR UPDATES

©howmanymade

Please get in touch if you have one of these editions!

If this has been helpful in some way, then please mention where you got the information with an ” According to http://www.howmanymade.co.uk ” – It would be Greatly Appreciated for all the time I research for the correct information

Regards, Mike.

44 thoughts on “ALFA ROMEO 4C SPIDER “50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION””

  1. Very helpful summary. First time I have seen the colour numbers split

    I own No. 17 in Red

    Regards

    Andy Kenward

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Andy – thanks for the update. I will add it to the register. Hopefully, I’ll have a full collection soon and a breakdown of all the colours and numbers – Regards, Mike

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hi, I have bought a red 50th anniversary 4c, but there is no centre console sticker. Is there a way to find which car it is. Thx Chris.

        Like

      2. Hi Chris, I know of another car that has the badge missing. I suggested to them to check the car over so it hadn’t fell off… he eventually contacted Alfa in Italy and they told him what the number was. If you send me a number plate (it won’t be shown on here) to askhowmanymade@gmail.com – I can check if I have the number,
        kind regards, Mike

        Like

  3. Hi Mike

    I have just purchased a white 50th Anniversary from Westaway. really upset the LE badge was missing!! Westaway is onto Alfa Romeo to get confirmation of number, but I doubt they will be able to get replacement badge.

    Regards, Carl

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Carl – Thanks for getting in touch. I did notice there wasn’t a badge on the Westaway car… So you don’t know what number it is? Maybe contact the first dealer that sold the car, they’ll probably have details. Or as silly as it sounds, check under the seats or them hidden areas! Be nice if you could let me know the number outcome. I had seen the others you mention but thanks all the same. Kind Regards, Mike

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hi Mike. After contacting Alfa Romeo in Italy and a few conversations, they have gone through their records and confirmed my car is number 12. They also still have the badge, which they are going to send me. Well impressed with Alfa Romeo!!

        Like

      2. Hi Carl – that is fantastic news… gives it that touch more originality. Thanks for the update. And indeed, well done Alfa Romeo – Mike

        Like

  5. Hi Mike

    Great article – nicely done.

    I have No. 26 in Competizione Red, it’s done about 8500 miles and lives in West Sussex area, mostly comes out for the Summer.

    Good luck with developing the content, I will be following it.

    Simon

    Like

    Reply

  6. Hi Mike – HWM in Walton on Thames have No.19 for sale. They used to be an Alfa Main Dealer and I know they are still an Approved Service Agent for Alfa. It is in Competizione Red and its only covered 320 miles!

    Kind Regards

    Paul

    Like

    Reply

  7. Hi Mike
    I own the 4c 50th anniversary from new in Competizione Red number 40
    20500 on the clock
    Stay safe
    Regards
    Rick

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Karl,
      what a lucky chap to have such a great daily car!
      I do have that car already registered, thank you for getting in touch with the extra details…
      kind regards,
      Mike

      Like

      Reply

  10. Hi Mike,

    Thank-you for taking time to write this interesting article. It helped me with my decision to recently buy number 26. I can see in previous comments this was owned by Simon in West Sussex and has had one other owner after him (As far as I know). It’s now living in East Anglia and is still in good condition. I will never get tired of that exhaust noise.

    Thanks

    Steve

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Steve,
      thank you for the positive feedback, much appreciated.
      Yes, I know the car, it was originally sold new in Nottingham.
      And yes, they do make a great sound! Enjoy and keep in touch,
      kind regards,
      Mike

      Like

      Reply

  12. Hey there! really enjoyed the read! I believe you already have this car registered but I will be picking up number 21/50 in yellow very soon!
    My name is Rory. S and I live in Shrivenham in the southwest of the UK.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Rory, thank you for getting in touch. So good to hear you have one of those future classics! I have made a note of the car’s new home.
      Keep in touch and let me know of any more you hear or see – Mike

      Like

      Reply

      1. Not sure If one has it registered yet, but it looks as though number 48/50 in yellow is for sale in Southampton UK.

        Like

    1. Hi Shaun,
      I went to see your car on Saturday at TJV just to confirm that it was 35. I spoke with a couple of the guys there too.
      I believe yours is the real 35 and the NZ is an ex-press car with the wrong number.
      I will get in touch with Alfa and do some digging in due course.
      I’ll be in touch with you directly about it.
      Thank you for contacting and following, much appreciated
      kind regards
      Mike

      Like

      Reply

  14. hi, I have 5/50 in yellow I previously bought 9/50 that is white and I parked next to 1/50 at an auto Italia show which was red

    hope this helps

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi – Thank you. I have wondered where No1 is… I have added the information to the register.
      I know the No 5 and No 9 cars.
      Do you have registration plates for any of the above. They won’t be posted on here, just to save for accuracy,
      thanks for getting in touch, much appreciated,
      kind regards,
      Mike

      Like

      Reply

    1. Hi Scott, thanks for that.
      I don’t have that linked to a car I have in the register.
      Can you give me a reg plate or last 3 VIN digits. They will not be posted on here!
      Much appreciated,
      Mike

      Like

      Reply

  17. Hi Mike.

    I’m the proud owner of the infamous No 35/50, which I purchased from Reeds of Derby in January 2024, it’s now living in Somerset and garaged next to my 1986 Alfa Romeo S3 Spider Graduate.

    I’m just loving the car, did you find out anymore information on this car potentially being in New Zealand?

    Kind Regards

    Geoff

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi Geoff,
      I do know the car, can’t believe I didn’t see it in Derby when it was for sale, as I’m based in Derby! Anyway, I could pass the email address of the NZ owner on to you if you want? (I will have to ask them first, of course) They were very easy going and happy to chat.
      thank you for getting in touch
      Mike

      Like

      Reply

      1. Hi Mike.

        Thanks for replying. I bought it within 24hours of being advertised, so it wasn’t in the showroom for long.

        The email for the previous owner in NZ if he’s happy to do so would be good.

        Many thanks

        Geoff

        Like

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.